8 English Phrasal Verbs With 'TEAR'

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8 phrasal verbs with 'TEAR'

Tear apart

1. Disturb or upset greatly
   (Separable [optional] | International English)
   
   » Example: People were TORN APART when news of the train crash came through.

Tear at

1. Pull or try to pull something to pieces
   (Inseparable | International English)
   
   » Example: The fighters TORE AT each other.

Tear away

1. Stop someone doing something unwillingly
   (Inseparable | International English)
   
   » Example: I had to TEAR him AWAY from the office for dinner.
2. Remove a surface violently
   (Separable [optional] | International English)
   
   » Example: The roof was TORN AWAY in the hurricane.

Tear down

1. Demolish
   (Separable [optional] | International English)
   
   » Example: The estate was TORN DOWN so that they could develop the land into luxury flats.

Tear into

1. Criticise strongly or angrily
   (Inseparable | International English)
   
   » Example: She TORE INTO me for losing it.

Tear off

1. Remove part of a form or letter using your hands, not scissors
   (Separable [optional] | International English)
   
   » Example: She TORE the slip OFF the bottom of the form and sent it with her cheque.
2. Leave at high speed
   (Intransitive | International English)
   
   » Example: The police TORE OFF in their car after arresting her.
3. Remove with force
   (Separable [optional] | International English)
   
   » Example: The storm TORE the roof OFF.
4. Remove completely
   (Separable [optional] | International English)
   
   » Example: She TORE OFF the ticket, leaving only the stub.

Tear out

1. Depart rapidly
   (Intransitive | International English)
   
   » Example: The sheriff TORE OUT after the escaping criminals.

Tear up

1. Rip into pieces
   (Separable [optional] | International English)
   
   » Example: He TORE the fax UP and threw the bits of paper in the bin.
2. Destroy
   (Separable [optional] | International English)
   
   » Example: They are TEARING UP the old part of town to build a new shopping centre.
3. Have eyes fill with tears
   (Intransitive | International English)
   
   » Example: After hearing the tragic news he TEARED UP and could hardly speak.

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